Holloway began writing and recording their debut album at Seaway Sound Studios in Muskegon, MI in late 2007. After a grueling amount of time and toil, sessions finally came to a conclusion in the early winter of 2008. The resulting record - “Illusions” - is a powerhouse of modern rock, mixing progressive metal elements with more tangible pop arrangements and vocals.

The new album was recorded and performed by Ross Morgan (guitars, vocals, drums), Josh Morgan (bass guitar, programming), and Shawn Julien (guitars), with a few special guest players, including Per Bergqvuist from Swedish metal act Closer. The album was then sent to Fascination Street Studios in Orebro lan, Sweden to be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren, the metal guru behind bands like Opeth, Soilwork, and Katatonia.

The group then sought out the help of world-renowned painter Susan Van Sant to complete the bands vision artistically. She, with help of Morgan, created the artwork seen on the album, as well as an 11 page Lyric Book featuring an original painting inspired by each song on the record, which can be downloaded free from the bands website.

Officially released on March 17th, 2009, “Illusions” is a debut record that sets the bar high. Quintin Q5, of MUEN magazine, said "A haunting over all tone lingers throughout on this debut... making “Illusions” an enriched montage of rock dramatics, usually not within the translation capability of a band creating their freshman L.P." Coinciding with the album release, a self produced Music Video for “The Visitor” was released online as well as DVD.

Completing the line up with the addition of new drummer Rob Parkkonen and keyboardist Kevin Schaner, the West Michigan based powerhouse is now set to unleash “Illusions” upon the world live.

The summer and fall of 2009 saw the band embarking on a string of highly successful shows, including slots on Carnival of Chaos 09, RockStock 09, Labor Day Metal Mayhem, The Halloween Harvest of Souls, and even a TV appearance on WZZM’s Take Five and Company. Highlighted by a performance of the entire ‘Illusions” album to a stunned hometown crowd in October, the band spent the remainder of 2009 performing in venues across Michigan.

Holloway has recently started work on a follow up recording to be released sometime in early 2010.


Source : www.hollowayband.com